Living well in hard economic times.

[carol b]

We all have the capability to live well no matter how hard things are economically. I myself have made some bad decisions. I have had to do without the things I wanted or needed and then when I got some extra money I just ran out and got them. This wasn't a well thought out idea. I need to sit down and think if I have gone this long without it is it something I can continue to live without.

There are some basic things that we absolutely must have in our lives. Shelter,food and water,clothing. When I say shelter I am also including the heat to keep you warm. The electricity or gas that it takes to cook and of course a telephone to communicate.

I have had to decide whether or not to pay a bill or let it wait. This isn't something that I like to do but it isn't something I can always avoid. It is sometimes a choice between eating and paying a bill.

Living well in these hard economic times isn't easy but it can be done. Give yourself some choices. Sit down and make a list of the things that you need or want.

When you are finished put them in categories. Those you must have and those that you can wait for.
Budget your money. I make a list of my bills and then when I will pay them. I also include my gasoline and incidentals on my list. This allows me to see how much I need where. I always allow a little money on the side for play. Happy people take care of themselves.

I need to buy some clothes but I can make do with what I have for now. I want to take my dog to obedience school but there is time for that later. I am however going to make sure that I can spend time with my family doing the things we like to do. I set aside some money to go to the movies or maybe out to eat every week.

I don't get my hair or nails done never did not that I don't need a hair cut. I just think that there are better things that I can do with the money I would spend on that. I could go and get my grandchildren and spend the day with them.

Living well is up to you and how well you live is determined by how you handle your finances. Forgive yourself for mistakes, learn from them and you become a wiser and

[Empty Wallet]

i have lived wrongly for a long time, and now as an adult, i am still making the wrong decisions, i guess it comes from going without as a child growing up, you take that attitude with you as an adult, and throw money away needlessley.

i have had to do some real soul searching, and it was a must, if my family was to stay happy and safe. just because i don't "feel" like cooking dinner doesnt mean we g et to go out and eat again, and again. .it now means, that leftovers are the main course for the nite! loll

i quit smoking recently, just because as much money that we spent on cigs, was enough to pay a utility bill a month!!

cable...we never really watch all the pay movies on hbo or starz.etc...so why spend the extra 40$ a month for something we rarely use? basic cable has everything we watch, so that is what we have ordered now..

so in just those couple of things, we have saved over 200$ a month!..little things can go a long way.

[dollardaze]

Don't beat yourself up over past mistakes, EmptyWallet. It sounds like you've come a long way in making better decisions for your family.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with eating leftovers, that's one way to save a lot of money over a year's time. (Even though the family may look at the table and say "yuck" ) It's important to your budget that you don't just throw those leftovers away.

Congrats on quiting smoking........that's my big downfall also. I am having trouble quitting, but I will get there eventually.

[dimetime]

To quit smoking is the fastest way to start saving money for a house hold, though the only problem that all smokers have is the actual "quitting" part. I am the same way. If I could quit I would save enough money per month to pay almost two of my bills. I know how good this sounds, but it is just so hard. Hopefully one of these days I will break the habit.

[Empty Wallet]

Quitting is one of the hardest things i have had to do. it sucks!...i want one every single day...but i am breathingbetter than i have in years, and i am starting to save a little money...only 20$ a week, but thats more than what i was saving before...

Believe me, i cheated enough when trying to quit, but those little cheats helped me stay on course...if i didn't cheat, i probably would of went back full time smoking. I am here for anyone who is trying and is having a hard time, i still have a hard time, so we can help each other!